Monitoring local government meetings is a long-established practice of the League of Women Voters. We provide first person reports on meetings of Wilmette area governing bodies.  It is one approach to help inform the community about current issues and their governments.
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Members volunteer to attend or watch a meeting and share what they observed in a written report.

latest report

​June 30, 2020
Meetings we observed since our last update:
Village Board: June 9 and 23; Finance Committee June 18
Park Board: June 8 (would have also observed committee meetings but for public participation issues)
D39 BoE: CoW June 8; BoE June 15
D203 BoE: June 8
Library Board: Finance Committee June 16 and Board Meeting June 23
Township Board:  June 9
 
Highlights: All the local government bodies we observe are responding to COVID-19 and, in many cases, calls to address racism.  In their June meetings, each board discussed the pandemic’s impact on their core programs and/or finances and almost all addressed racism and/or their commitment to an inclusive and welcoming community.  See more detail on these and other happenings below for each board we follow.
 
Village Board:

• The Village Board, on June 9 and June 23, amended and extended previously issued Village Declarations of Emergency due to COVID-19 by adopting a Fifth Amended Declaration of Emergency  and a Sixth Amended Declaration of Emergency , respectively.
• Village staff presented to the Village Board on June 23 on the impact of COVID-19 on the Village’s FY 2020 General Fund .  This presentation was a refinement and update of the analyses staff presented at the April 28 and May 26 meetings, and is expected to be updated monthly as the situation evolves.
• The Village Board approved $4.8K  and $23K in Economic Relief Grant Expenditures to Village businesses at its June 9th and 23rd meetings, respectively, bringing total grants made under the program to $275.4K (out of $531K budgeted).  At its June 9th meeting, the Village Board considered options identified by staff to modify the Economic Relief Programs and, by consensus, gave direction for now to staff to increase the cap on grants to service businesses. Additional modifications may be discussed at a later meeting.
• President Bielinski on June 9 read a letter to the community from the Village Board, dated June 4, in which the Village Board denounced the actions of the police officers  involved in the death of Mr. George Floyd. The letter said, among other things, that the Village Board  is proud of the high standards established by the Village Police Department and that it “is our responsibility as a community to foster an inclusive environment where people of all racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds feel safe and welcomed.”
• Village Manager Braiman and Village Police Chief Murphy on June 23 gave a presentation to the Village Board on a report regarding Use of Force and other policies , as previously requested by President Bielinski. Village Manager Braiman started the report by saying “As the leader of the Village staff, I would like to say that we were all sickened by the murder of George Floyd and other similar instances of police abuse.”  He also said that “it is important to recognize the police officers such as those in Wilmette, who do things the right way and who should serve as a model for departments across the country.” The slideshow was also in the packet.
• President Bielinski on June 9 announced he requested a report from Village staff on affordable housing, specifically with respect to the law and historical and recent actions by the Village.  Delivery of that report is expected at the July 14 Village Board meeting.
• The Village Board granted final Planned Unit Development approval  on June 23 for the affordable housing development at 1925 Wilmette Ave.
• The Village Board received in its June 23 meeting packet a memorandum from staff on Boards & Commissions; the Administrative Committee has been charged with starting a review of Boards & Commissions, including the Housing Commission, Human Relations Commission and Environmental & Energy Commission, and is expected to meet in July.
• Village staff and the Village’s outside auditor on June 23 gave a presentation  to the Village Board on the Village’s FY 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and FY2019 Single Audit. The auditor issued an unmodified “clean” audit opinion for both audits, the highest level opinion the Village can receive, and had no internal control findings.
• Village staff gave an update to the Village Board on June 23 on the Central Ave & Downtown Streetscape Project ; construction is expected Aug. 2020-Sept. 2021.
• Village staff gave an update to the Village Board on June 23 on the Retail Cannabis Moratorium and a Potential Referendum . More discussion is expected in July along with a decision on whether to put a referendum on the November ballot on allowing retail cannabis in the Village.
• The Village Board on June 23 authorized 2 bond issuances: 1) up to $31M, mostly to fund the Neighborhood Storage Project, and 2) up to $18.75M in refunding bonds.
• Staff on June 9 gave an update and analysis on the Village’s 2020 Road and Allley programs  and identified options for reductions in the program to reduce costs.  By consensus the Trustees gave direction to staff to continue with the program as planned.
• The Village Board adopted on June 23 an ordinance creating a credits and incentives policy concerning stormwater, including making credits available to non-residential and multi-family residential (NSFR) properties to be used against their stormwater utility fees for NSFR properties meeting 1) MWRD detention requirements (up to 50% of the fee) and/or 2) Institutional Use/501(c)(3) ownership requirements (up to 25% of the fee), with a maximum credit of 50% of the fee for properties eligible for both credits.

Wilmette Park Board:

• The Park Board on June 8 received its first fiscal year-to-date financial report  from staff in months, along with updated information on the FY that ended December 31, 2019.  The Financial Planning & Policy Committee meeting packet for the committee meeting scheduled for June 16 indicated that the committee was going to hear from staff on their report concerning COVID-19 project impacts on the Park District’s finances FY2020 and the timeline for the FY2019 audit, which has been delayed.  That meeting, if it happened, ended up not being livestreamed or broadcast live per the agenda instructions or archived on the Park District website as of this writing, so we could not observe it.
• Executive Director Wilson reported, in response to some emails he had received, that reduced programming and use of facilities due to COVID-19 had led to the reduction of Park District staff and the Park District not being able to honor all previously made offers of summer employment. He noted that the Ouilmette Foundation has started an employee relief fund. He also noted that the monthly voucher list approved at the meeting was a record low and $3M lower than last year due to the pandemic’s impact.
• The Park Board approved directing staff to negotiate a contract with The Lakota Group to consult on development of a Gillson Park Comprehensive Plan. The Lakefront Committee Chair reported that the committee had reviewed Gillson Comprehensive Plan Consultant Proposals at its June 1 meeting; that committee meeting was not livestreamed or broadcast live per the agenda instructions or archived on the Park District website as of this writing, so we could not observe it.
• Village engineering staff and outside engineers gave a presentation to the Park Board on initial plans for the expected Village Neighborhood Storage Project 2021 construction at Hibbard Park. The Parks & Recreation Committee Chair announced that the committee will begin discussing potential new amenities for the parks affected by the project.
• There was no mention at the Park Board meeting on its shoreline protection project following its May 27 CoW (reported on in our May 28 update) on the project when Commissioners gave input on shoreline protection priorities to the outside consultant.

New Trier High School D203 BoE

• The administrative team gave the BoE a presentation on fall reopening and the BoE approved the revised 2020-21 Calendar. There also was a Reopening Committee’s Update Memo in the meeting packet.
• The administrative team gave the BoE a presentation on Culture, Climate and Equity.  The presentation materials were not in the packet, but the presentation referred to the district’s equity and diversity website, which also included a statement from Supt. Sally in response to Mr. George Floyd’s death and subsequent protests. The presentation can be seen on the archived video starting at minute 20:43. Several public comments to the BoE on this topic were read at the meeting starting at minute 3:04.
• The BoE heard updates on Summers 2020 and  2021 Facilities Projects, which are years 1 and 2 of a 15-year plan. There also was a  Summer 2021 Project Update Memo in the meeting packet.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D39 BoE and CoW

• Supt. Cremascoli gave a presentation updating the BoE on remote learning and fall planning. There was nothing in the meeting materials on this topic but the presentation can be viewed on the archived meeting video starting at minute 29:50.
• President Schneider-Fabes opened the BoE meeting with a statement on behalf of the BoE that, among other things, expressed outrage and sadness over the murder of Mr. George Floyd, said that “your lives matter,” reiterated D39’s Statement of Diversity and Inclusion and the BoE’s 2019 Resolution Condemning Hate, and committed to do better. The statement was not in the meeting materials but can be seen on the archived meeting video starting 34 seconds in.
• Administrator for Curriculum & Instruction Lee presented on the 2019-20 Strategic Plan Review.
• The Community Review Committee (CRC) presented its 2019-20 CRC report on Strengthening Parent Partnerships.
• The BoE approved a Superintendent Evaluation and new 3-year contract, replacing the prior 3-year contract.  Supt. Cremascoli was nearing the end of her first year in the prior 3-year contract at the time of the BoE meeting.
• The BoE approved a Highcrest Outdoor Classroom/Garden Bid.

 
Library Board

• The Library Board approved an Updated Pandemic Response and Reopening Plan.
• The Director reported on a statement of support that the Library made in the aftermath of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the Library Board voted to express its support of that statement.
• The Library Board approved the FY 2020-21 Working Budget.

 
 
New Trier Township

• The Board received a Report from the Township Social Services Administrator summarizing Township assistance programs from March 1, the start of the Township’s fiscal year, through May 31.
• The Board discussed republishing a Welcoming Resolution that it had adopted in 2017 and remains in effect.  Communications Director Macholl told the Board that Supervisor Goldberg’s column in the next edition of the Dispatch E-Newsletter would address the death of Mr. George Floyd. That edition has been sent but was not posted on the Township’s website as of the date of this writing.

May 28, 2020
 
Update on How Local Government  Board Meetings are Being Conducted During the Stay-at-Home Order
As our local government boards entered another month of remote meetings because of the COVID-19 crisis, some refinement of procedures is taking place.  In May, the Park Board joined all the other local government boards we observe in providing live remote access to the public to its meeting and, like most, allowed live public comment and posted board meeting materials on its website prior to the meeting.  The Village added more ways for the public to participate live in its meetings by allowing the public to sign-in to its remote meetings and give oral comments in addition to livestreaming on YouTube and broadcasting on Channel 6.  Below is a summary of meeting procedures from the most recent meetings we have observed:

• Public able to watch live? Yes--all.
• Public able to give live public comment during meeting?
  • Village Board--Yes, orally or in writing
  • Township Board--Yes, orally
  • D39 BoE and CoW and Park Board--Yes, in writing only
  • D.203 BoE and Library Board--No, required public comment to be made in writing only by a specific time before their meetings started (by 5 pm day of for D203, 30 minutes prior for Lib Bd).
• New public viewing/comment procedures posted on government website? Yes--all (though not always consistently throughout website). 
• Board meeting materials posted on government website prior to meeting?
  • Village Board, D39BoE, D203 BoE, Library Board, Park Board--Yes.
  • Township Board, D39 CoW and Library Finance Committee--No.

Look at local government websites for how to watch and comment and be on the lookout for any changes to upcoming meeting dates/times and procedures.
 
These are the meetings that we observed since our last update:
Village Board: May 12 and May 26; CoW May 20
Park Board: May 11 CoW May 27
D39 BoE: CoW May 11 and BoE May 18
D203 BoE: May 18 (from recording, although live-streaming was available)
Library Board: Finance Committee May 11 and Board Meeting May 19
Township Board:  May 12 (from recording, although live-streaming was available)
 
Highlights:
Village Board:

• The Village Board, on May 12 and May 26, amended and extended previously issued Village Declarations of Emergency due to COVID-19 by adopting a Third Amended Emergency Declaration and a Fourth Amended Emergency Declaration , respectively.
• The Village Board approved $40K  and $4.7K in Economic Relief Grant Expenditures at its May 12 and 26 meetings, respectively.
• Village staff gave a presentation to the Village Board on May 26 on the impact of COVID-19 on the Village’s General Fund and had a memo  in the meeting packet on the same.  This presentation was a refinement of the analysis staff presented at the April 28 meeting, and is expected to be updated monthly as the situation evolves.
• Village staff gave a presentation to the Village Board at its May 26 meeting on the May 14-17 rain events, and had a memo in the meeting packet on the same.
• The Village Board approved on May 26 actuarial valuations and transfers of funds to fulfill actuarial contribution requirements for the Firefighters and Police Pension Funds and Unused Sick Leave Program .
• The Village’s Corporation Counsel gave to the Village Board on May 12 a report on the board’s ability to hold remote meetings and on limitations on remote meeting agenda items.
• The Village Board’s Committee-of-the-Whole discussed potential credits to be used against the stormwater utility fee for non-residential and multi-family residential (NSFR) properties at its May 20 meeting, and by consensus gave direction to staff to draft an ordinance for approval at a June board meeting to allow credits for NSFR properties meeting 1) MWRD detention requirements (up to 50% of the fee) and/or 2) Institutional Use/501(c)(3) ownership requirements (up to 25% of the fee), with a maximum credit of 50% of the fee for properties eligible for both credits.  The meeting packets contained a memo with background material, the staff’s presentation and answers to questions posed by Trustees.

 
Wilmette Park Board:

• The Park Board elected Gordon Anderson to service as its President until April 2021.
• Executive Director Wilson’s report to the Park Board on May 11 focused on an update on the Park District’s operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are continuing to evolve, and the Capital Projects deferral worksheet that the Park Board had gone over in detail at its April 2020 meeting.  More discussion on the Capital Projects deferral worksheet is expected in June, particularly on whether to continue with the deferral of the ~$850K Wilmette Golf Club cart path installation, which had originally been part of the Capital Projects budget for FY2020. Wilson gave further operational developments at the CoW.
• President Anderson asked at both the Park Board and CoW meetings for current financials and projections, which Executive Director Willson said will be provided in June.
• The engineering team from the Park District’s shoreline protection project consultant, SmithGroup, had its kickoff meeting with Commissioners at the CoW meeting, after having previously walked the shoreline from Langdon to the harbor with Executive Director Wilson and other administrative staff.  This meeting was the first of four meetings SmithGroup expects to have with Commissioners.  SmithGroup presented a slideshow, which was shared on the screen and can be seen on the archived meeting video (starting 17:26 minutes in), but was not in the meeting packet or otherwise posted on the Park District website. SmithGroup’s presentation focused on: 1) Study Scope and Processes, 2) Issues and Opportunities, 3) Existing Conditions and 4) Committee Goals and Objectives.  With respect to Committee Goals and Objectives, SmithGroup said it was interested in hearing from Commissioners on their 1) priorities (e.g., if they can’t protect everything, what is the most important), 2) whether they are thinking about temporary vs. long-term measures, 3) consideration of the different uses (e.g., human uses, ecology, habitat) and which ones belong more in certain areas, and 4) their views of the built infrastructure (e.g., whether they are interested in protecting and/or modifying existing structures or adding new features, such as for protective purposes or to increase revenue potential).  Commissioners gave various input, including largely agreeing (without taking any votes): 1) that for Langdon, their priority was saving the bluff and maintaining beach access, but not necessarily having a swimming beach there, 2) on wanting to maintain a natural environment and current uses, and 3) on wanting to see various options for flood defenses at the sailing beach and certain other areas. SmithGroup noted that the next meetings will focus, in order, on 1) coastal processes and stabilization strategies, 2) alternative development and regulatory requirements, and 3) refined alternatives and screening level cost estimates.

 
New Trier High School D203 BoE

• The administrative team gave the BoE a presentation on the district’s end of year planning and fall reopening in light of COVID-19, including on the plan for graduation, the last days of school, summer school and the various scenarios and many considerations for 2020-21.
• The BoE approved an amendment to a contract with Wight & Company to further develop its design work on potential improvements to Gates Gym and the Boiler Plan and associated spaces on the Winnetka campus, which were part of the 15-Year Facility Plan approved by the BoE in August 2019.  The original contract with Wight & Company was approved in December 2019.  By February 2021, the BoE will consider whether/when to move forward with the project.
• The BoE approved, as part of its Consent Agenda, amendments to vendor contractors for the spring 2020 remote learning period 1) to reduce rent owed by Quest, the food service provider, to D203, and 2) for D203 to make partial payments to bus companies servicing the District: CitiCare, Alltown for special education and regular education transportation, and Safeway, as summarized in this memorandum in the meeting packet.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D39 BoE and CoW

• Supt. Cremascoli gave an update on remote learning to the BoE.
• The BoE approved the FY2021 (Jul 1 2020-Jun 30 2021) tentative D39 budget and the setting of the public budget hearing for August 24, after hearing a presentation from Business Manager Crispino on the same at both the BoE and the CoW and a presentation on an earlier draft at last month’s meetings.   Business Manager Crispino noted there are still many unknowns because of the COVID-19 crisis and expects changes in the final budget.  The final budget will be voted on at the BoE meeting on August 24 following the public hearing.
• The BoE approved the personnel report (including the appointment of Central and Romona Asst. Principals).
• The BoE approved an Amendment to Transportation Contract, calling for some payments by D39 during remote learning (D39 not otherwise obligated to pay) in exchange for reduced rate increases for FY 2021 and FY2022, after discussions on the same at the CoW.
• The BoE approved a Letter of Agreement for Support Staff Union Contract Extension.
• The BoE approved  FY2021 lunch fees after a discussion of the same at both the BoE the CoW.
• Asst. Supt. Glowacki gave a report on Projected 2020-21 Enrollment/Staffing.
• The CoW received an update on summer 2020 construction (at Central, Harper and HMS).

 
Library Board

• The Library Board reviewed a draft of the FY2021 (Jul 1 2020-Jun 30 2021) working budget, which the FInance Committee had also reviewed at its earlier meeting.
• Director Auston gave a presentation on the expected timeline and procedures for resuming limited contactless library services.  The Library later posted a summary here.

 
New Trier Township

• Director of Administration and Finance Diane Tye reported that Social Services Administrator Jeanne Winsted Rosser delivered a memo (not in meeting packet online) reporting on payments from Emergency Assistance relating to housing, which she specified is for rent, mortgages and assessments: the total amount for March, April and beginning of May for that was $28,869, and was for 12 cases involving 35 people.  Tye noted that amount is quite sizable and they expect it to grow.
• Supervisor Goldberg reported that $100 gift cards for students in district public schools on free or reduced lunch have been purchased (at Grand Foods, who gave a $10 discount) and distributed to social workers at the various schools who will pass them on to the families. This program from the Angel Fund was approved by the board on April 7 and then expanded on April 28.

As of May 5, 2020
 
More on How Our Local Government  Board Meetings are Being Conducted During the Stay-at-Home Order
Our local government bodies continue to meet and handle important business, albeit remotely instead of in person.   All the local government boards we follow have now met remotely at least once since the Stay-at-Home order was put in place.  With respect to the meetings we observed in April:

• Public able to watch live? Park Board--No. Others--Yes.
• Public able to give live public comment during meeting?
  • Village Board, D.39 BoE and Township Board--Yes
  • Others--No.  D.203 BoE and Library Board required public comment to be made by a specific time before their meetings started (by 2 pm day of for D203, 30 minutes prior for Lib Bd).
• New public viewing/comment procedures posted somewhere on government website?
  • Park Board--No.
  • Others--Yes (though not always consistently throughout website). 
• Board meeting materials posted on government website?
  • Park Board and Township Board--No.
  • Others--Yes (except with D. 39, only for BoE, not CoW).

See here  for email LWVW sent to the Park Board recommending new procedures for its May 11 meeting.  Some boards may change their procedures before their May meetings, and we encourage all interested in watching any government meeting to check that government’s website for updated meeting dates/times and procedures. 

These are the meetings that we observed, remotely, since our mid-April update:
Village Board: April 28
D. 203 BoE:  April 20
D. 39 BoE: CoW/Special BoE Meeting on April 20; BoE on April 27
Township Board: April 28 (although available live, we observed via recording on NTT website)
 
Highlights:
COVID-19 Response:  All local boards we observed spent time on their government body’s COVID-19 response.  See detail below for each Board. That and other news:
 
Village Board:

• Village staff gave a presentation to the Village Board on its analysis of the potential financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the Village’s General Fund assuming two different scenarios:  one assuming the reopening of the economy starting in the 3rd quarter, the other assuming the reopening of the economy starting in the 4th quarter.  Village staff will continue to monitor, analyze and report to the Village Board as more information is gathered.  See  here  for information from the meeting packet on this presentation.
• The Village Board approved a $2.3M contract with J.A. Johnson Paving Co. in connection with the 2020 road program and an $845K contract with Schroeder & Schroeder, Inc., in connection with the 2020 alley and brick street reconstruction program.  With each contract, the Village reserves the right to reduce the amount of the work until early June and staff will prepare options by then for contract value reduction for VB consideration.  See here for meeting materials on these contracts, including a memo on potential cost savings.
• The Village Board approved multiple items on the consent agenda, including:
  • A resolution extending the Village’s multiple emergency declarations due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. See here and here, as amended, for information from the meeting packet and additional agenda material, respectively, on that resolution.
  • Emergency relief grant expenditures made pursuant to two economic relief programs previously adopted by the Village Board to assist Village businesses.  See here  for meeting packet material.
  • Contracts related to the Central and Downtown Streetscape construction project anticipated to begin late August 2020 and be complete by October 2021.  See here  for meeting packet material on these contracts
  • A $401K contract with Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. for design services associated with the Neighborhood Storage Project, Phase 2, at Hibbard Park.  Phase 2 construction is scheduled for 2021.  See here  for meeting packet information on this item.  See here for LWVW coverage of prior developments in this project.
• The Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance granting special use for an Optima planned unit development (preliminary plan) in connection with the property at 1210 Central Avenue after the removal of the ordinance from the consent agenda. The Village Board had already approved the PUD at its March 10 meeting, and passage of this ordinance was the next step in the process.  After posting the proposed ordinance in the agenda packet on the Village website but prior to the meeting, the ordinance was amended and posted in additional agenda material on the Village website.  See here  for the material on the ordinance from the agenda packet as first posted and here  for material on the amended ordinance as posted in the additional agenda material. The amended ordinance is what the Village Board approved.
• See here for the meeting video.

 
NTHS D. 203 BoE:

• The administrative team gave the BoE a report on various aspects of the remote learning program that has been going on and will continue for the rest of the year with in-person learning cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis.  The report touched on, among other things, the timeline so far, communications, celebrations, curriculum and instruction, feedback, meeting all students’ needs, student well being, incoming freshmen, planning for 2020-21, and financial implications.  See here for the slideshow that went with the presentation.
• The BoE approved a modified school calendar for the rest of 2019-20, as seen here.
• The BoE elected Cathy Albrecht as President and other officers to serve until April 2021.
• The BoE approved a tentative amended FY2019-20 budget, as seen here, to more accurately reflect capital expenditures.  It will be voted on in final form at the June BoE.
• The BoE approved the third and final bid package for summer 2020 construction, which is part of a 15-year plan.  See here for information from the packet.
• The BoE approved revised student fees for 2020-21, as seen here.
• See here for the meeting video.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D. 39 BoE:

• The BoE adopted a resolution for the emergency suspension of policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic at its CoW/Special BoE meeting.  See here for that resolution as posted on the D.39 website after that meeting.
• Supt. Cremascoli gave a report at both meetings on the remote learning program going on now in all D39 schools because of in-person learning cancelled because of COVID-19.  She noted challenges and successes, including as identified in feedback given by parents, students and teachers in surveys and how the program has evolved, including as a result of that feedback.  See here for the report from the BoE meeting materials posted online.
• The BoE approved the appointment of Corey Bultemeier as the 2020-21 Business Manager/Chief School Business Officer effective July 1, 2020, to replace Ellen Crispino who is resigning effective June 30, 2020, due to relocation with family out of state. Bultemeier has been the financial manager and school business official of Community Consolidated School District 15 in Palatine for the past nine years.
• The BoE kicked off its FY2020-21 budget planning with a review of the first draft of the tentative budget as presented by Business Manager Ellen Crispino both at the CoW and the BoE.  Crispino noted that this year’s budget process is expected to involve more changes than usual because of frequently changing circumstances with the COVID-19 crisis.  She expects another review at the May meetings, and possibly at the June meetings as well, before a final budget is presented in August, with changes expected in each review.  See here and here for the meeting materials on the tentative budget for the BoE meeting.
• D.39’s bond advisor, Elizabeth Hennessey from Raymond James, gave a presentation to the CoW on market conditions and potential alternatives (e.g., public sale or private placement) for a bond issuance that the BoE had approved in March.  No meeting materials were posted with respect to that CoW presentation.
• BoE members discussed potential changes to the transportation contract at the CoW so that bus drivers would continue to be paid even though bus services are not being provided while remote learning is taking place; staff reported that D39 has no obligation to pay the bus company under the current contract while services are not being provided.  An amended contract may be presented at the May meeting. No meeting materials were posted with respect to this agenda item.
• See here for the CoW/Special BoE meeting video and here for the Regular BoE meeting video (first 40 minutes not recorded).

 
New Trier Township Board:

• With respect to the emergency fund approved at its April 7 meeting to provide, out of the Angel Fund, grocery store gift cards of $100 each to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch by any of the New Trier Township school districts, the Board raised the amount authorized for this fund from $5K to $35K.
• Staff provided an oral report on Emergency Assistance housing assistance distributions for the March 1, 2019, to  February 29, 2020 FY, and for March and April 2020 to date.  April’s usage to the date of the meeting showed a large proportionate  jump ($21K for April to the date of meeting, compared to $121K for all of the FY ending on February 29, 2020).
• Staff noted that food bank usage has been 30-32% of what is typical, and Trustees and staff discussed both more outreach so people in need know about it and potential ways to find out why usage has declined during the crisis.
• See here for the agenda and here for the meeting video.  No meeting materials were posted.

As of April 16, 2020
 
A Word on How Local Government  Board Meetings are Being Conducted During the Stay-at-Home Order
Even with Governor Pritzker’s Stay-at-Home order because of the COVID-19 crisis, our local government bodies have continued to meet and handle important business, albeit remotely instead of in person.   Of the three local government bodies we follow that have met remotely since the Stay-at-Home order was put in place, two (the Village Board and the Township Board) gave remote access to the public and an opportunity for the public to comment during their meetings and also updated their websites prior to their meetings to apprise the public of changes to their meeting schedules and/or formats.  The Park Board did not give live remote access to the public to its meeting nor provide an opportunity to the public to comment during its meeting, nor did the Park District update its website prior to the meeting to apprise the public of changes to the Park Board meeting format concerning public participation; the Park Board meeting video was posted 3 days after the meeting occurred.  See here  for LWVW email to the Park District Director and the Park Board Commissioners prior to their meeting urging them to allow public access and public comment during the meeting.
 
These are the meetings that we observed since our last update:
Village Board: March 31 CoW; VB April 14
Park Board: April 13 (on video recording only because not available to public live)
Township Board: April 7 (our first time observing this board!)
 
We expect to have public access to observe the meetings of the D. 39 and D. 203 BoEs, Library Board, Village Board and Township Board in the next 2 weeks.  Watch for information on their websites to see how you can participate. And watch for our next report.
 
Highlights:
COVID-19 Response:  The Village Board, Park Board and Township Board each spent significant time on their government body’s COVID-19 response.  See detail below for each Board.
 
Village Stormwater Project: Phase 1 of the Village’s largest infrastructure project in history is moving forward as scheduled with construction having started April 6 at Community Playfields.  At the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on March 31, the Village staff gave a presentation recommending still moving forward despite the COVID-19 crisis, and after much questioning by, and discussion among, the Trustees the consensus of the CoW was to move forward.  See here for the meeting packet from that meeting, including a staff memo outlining the reasons for moving forward.  See here for the video of that meeting.  See here for LWVW’s coverage of earlier history of that project.
 
More Detail on COVID-19 Response and What Else Has Happened Since our Last Update:
Village Board:

• The Village Board extended its Village Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 Outbreak, which included a $375K sales tax rebate program to support Village retail businesses, and also added to it to include a $156K program to assist Village personal service and entertainment businesses. See here  for packet information on the emergency declaration extension and here and here for packet information on the service business relief program.  The Village Board also approved payments totaling $86K to Village retail businesses under the sales tax rebate program, and heard that additional payments will be made this week, which will be approved at the next meeting.  The Village Board also heard a presentation from staff on what federal, state, and local programs are available to financially assist residents. See here for packet information on those programs available to residents in need. 
• Staff gave a presentation to the VB on its analysis of the 2020 General Fund budgeted expenses to identify potential areas of deferral until the full impact of COVID-19 can be understood.  See here for packet information.
• The VB approved giving the Village Manager authority to further delay stormwater utility fee billing for non-residential and multi-family properties and to spread amounts due from previous quarters over multiple billing cycles.  See here  for packet information.
• Staff updated the VB on the Central Avenue and Downtown Streetscape project, asking that the VB consider approving $6M in funding for the project at its April 28 meeting.  The project would be slated to start in August.  See here for packet information.
• See here for the meeting video.

 
Wilmette Park Board:

• Executive Director Wilson summarized the many impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis and Governor Pritzker’s Stay-at-Home order on the Park District, including: closing of facilities and program cancellations; refunding of program fees; part-time staff layoffs; closing of playgrounds and tennis courts; signage at parks regarding proper social distancing procedures; staff and police monitoring of parks for social distancing compliance.  He detailed communications that have been made to the public. He noted staff has been planning for the summer, but also is planning in the event of a shortened or no summer schedule, trying to be as agile as possible.  He listed ways the staff is active on social media and doing activities to keep people engaged and entertained while social distancing.
• Commissioners noted communications received from those concerned about social distancing not being practiced at the parks and one correspondent who advocated that parks be closed during the crisis; Exec. Dir. Wilson responded that while compliance isn’t perfect, people are, for the most part, doing what they should be doing. He noted that at this point the Park District is not closing the parks, but that may change if rules are not being adhered to.
• Exec. Dir. Wilson noted that a decision regarding whether to go forward with July 3 Fireworks and summer camps will need to be made early in May.
• Exec. Dir. Wilson gave a presentation showing the severe impacts to the Park District’s 2020 budget because of program cancellations, highlighting that a significant portion of the Park District’s budgeted revenue stream is attributable to user fees, which have evaporated during the crisis. Commissioners went line by line through the capital project expenditures budgeted for 2020 with the goal of deferring as many as possible. This capital project review is expected to occur monthly as long as the crisis continues.
• Exec. Dir. Wilson noted that staff is moving forward behind the scenes on a number of things, including: 1) engineering in and around the Village stormwater project, particularly with respect to fields and irrigation and 2) shoreline erosion planning.
• See here for the meeting video.  See here for the meeting agenda.  No other meeting materials were posted.

 
New Trier Township Board:

• The Township Board approved an emergency fund  of up to $5000 out of the Angel Fund to provide grocery store gift cards of $100 each to students who are qualified for free or reduced lunch by any of the New Trier Township school districts because these students are not getting their lunch support while schools are closed during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Staff informed the Township Board about Food Pantry usage and procedures during the crisis.
• The Township Board postponed its Annual Town Meeting, previously scheduled for April 14, to a date TBD because of the crisis, but has added more board meetings to keep abreast of crisis response. The Annual Town Meeting will be rescheduled once restrictions on meeting sizes are lifted by the State.
• Assessor Churchill reported that May 1 is the new deadline for 2020 property tax appeals to the Assessor’s Office.
• See here for the meeting video. See here for the meeting agenda.  No other meeting materials were posted.

As of March 27, 2020
 
The Village Board is holding a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 7:00 pm, to discuss and determine the path forward regarding storm sewer system improvements.  See here for agenda, including how to watch and give public comment remotely since Village Hall is closed.
 
As of March 24, 2020
 
Since our last update on March 5, our world has changed dramatically, but LWVW Observers have continued observing and reporting on local government meetings.  Since our last update, we observed and reported on:
 
Village Board: March 10 and 24
Park Board: March 9
WPS D. 39 Board of Ed: Special BoE March 9; CoW March 9; BoE March 16
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: March 16
Library Board: none--March 17 meeting cancelled
 
Highlights:
We can divide the month almost in half: before the COVID-19 crisis caused shutdowns of schools and much of public life and after the COVID-19 shutdowns.
 
Since the COVID-19 shutdowns, the big news has been:
COVID-19 Crisis Response--The Village Board adopted a resolution at its March 24 meeting declaring an Emergency Affecting the Public Health and Wellbeing due to the Outbreak of COVID-19 Virus.  This resolution continued President Bielinski’s Emergency Proclamation of March 17, which proclamation was in effect for 7 days or until the Village Board could meet. The resolution also included a $375K Sales Tax Rebate Program to distribute immediate cash for the short-term financial needs of local businesses with the intent of preventing local businesses from closing.  See here for the meeting packet, including the emergency resolution and another resolution related to the emergency and President Bielinski’s earlier Emergency Proclamation, and here for additional meeting packet material containing a memorandum on the sales tax rebate program.  The sales tax rebate program was initially proposed to be for an amount up to $500K, but was amended at the meeting to be for an amount up to $375K.  That March 24 VB meeting was held remotely, though publicly, on Channel 6 and YouTube and with opportunity for public comment, all in accordance with the Open Meetings Act as revised by Governor Pritzker’s Emergency Proclamation of March 16 (see Section 6 on p. 3 of that proclamation here to see changes to the Open Meetings Act).  See here for a videorecording of that meeting.  See here for the email the LWVW sent to the VB prior to that meeting.  The District 39 and 203 Board of Education meetings were the first of the meetings we observe that were held in the post-COVID-19 shutdown world and were held in accordance with the Open Meetings Act as it stood before Governor Pritzker’s proclamation, with a majority of board members physically present, though sitting 6 ft. apart from each other, and other board members present through teleconferencing. Both BoEs adopted e-Learning programs at those meetings, as seen here and here for D. 39 and D. 203, respectively, so students could continue learning remotely while schools were physically closed. See here and here for videorecordings of the D. 39 and D. 203 BoE meetings, respectively.
 
Before the COVID-19 shutdowns, the big news was:
Village Stormwater Project.  Various local government bodies approved major contracts and agreements with respect to the Village's largest infrastructure project in history: the $65.9M Neighborhood Storage Project to relieve overland stormwater flooding issues west of Ridge Road.  The Village Board approved at its March 10 meeting 1) $13.95M in construction and engineering oversight bids for Phase 1 construction at and near the Wilmette Park District’s Community Playfields, 2) an easement agreement with a homeowner, and 3) intergovernmental agreements with the Park District and District 39, all of which were needed for the construction to go forward.  The Park Board and the D. 39 BoE also approved their relevant intergovernmental agreements with the Village at their meetings on March 9.  At the time of those March 9 and 10 meetings, Phase 1 construction was expected to begin in early April 2020.  Also at that time, the Village hoped that Phase 2 construction at Hibbard Park and Phase 3 construction at Thornwood Park would take place in 2021 and 2022, respectively. For more detailed LWVW coverage of the March 9 and 10 meetings and earlier developments in this project, click here.
 
1210 Central Planned Unit Development:  Also at the 5-hour Village Board meeting of March 10, the Village Board approved in a 5-2 vote a planned unit development (PUD) proposal for 1210 Central:  an Optima building seeking height, massing and other variations.  Voting for the PUD proposal were President Bielinski and Trustees Barrow, Dudd, Plunkett and Sullivan and voting against the PUD proposal were Trustees Kennedy and Kurzman.  See here for the Village’s recap of this meeting, with links to the meeting documents and specific discussions from the meeting.  See here for the LWVW’s earlier letter to the Village Board on the affordable housing aspect of this PUD application.
 
What else happened since our last update on March 3:
 
Wilmette Park Board

• Financial Planning & Policy Committee Chair Anderson announced that Sheila Foy has been hired as the Park District’s new Supt. of Finance. He noted that she is a Wilmette resident and previously worked in the private sector.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D39 Board of Ed

• The BoE approved awarding a bid package totalling $2.14M for summer 2020 construction mostly at Highcrest, which will include converting the old Library Media Center, which was replaced by the Learning Commons constructed last summer, into classrooms and adding air conditioning to the auditorium. See here for meeting packet information.
• The BoE approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $11.6M in general obligation limited tax school bonds, including $5M for working cash and up to $6.6M to refunding outstanding Series 2010 bonds.  See here for meeting packet information.
• Staff finished its 3-meeting mid-year report on the 2019-20 Strategic Plan, with this month’s report focusing on the New Initiatives part of the 2019-20 Strategic Plan, which all relate to technology. See summary report here.

 
NTHS D203 BoE

• The BoE voted to approve a second Bid Package and award contracts in the amount of $4.2M for summer 2020 construction. Click here to see a memo on the bid package from the meeting packet.

As of March 5, 2020
 
Since the last update, LWVW Observers have observed and reported on the following local government meetings:
 
Village Board: February 11 and 25
Park Board: February 10; Lakefront Committee March 2
WPS D. 39: CoW February 10; BoE February 24
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: February 18
Library Board: February 18
 
Highlights:
 
Two key topics of consideration in the Village this month:
 
Stormwater, Stormwater, Stormwater: February was a big month (and expect March to be even bigger) for what is expected to be the Village’s largest infrastructure project in history: the $65.3M Neighborhood Storage Project to relieve overland stormwater flooding issues west of Ridge Road.

• The Village Board reviewed at its February 25 meeting $13.3M in construction and engineering oversight bids for Phase 1 construction at and near the WIlmette Park District’s Community Playfields and the Village Board, the Park Board and the WPS D. 39 Board of Education all worked on reviewing/revising Intergovernmental agreements and Phase 1 construction plans.  The Village hopes that the Village Board, the Park Board and the D. 39 BoE will approve their relevant agreements at meetings on March 9 and 10 so that Phase 1 construction can begin in early April 2020.  The Village hopes Phase 2 at Hibbard Park and Phase 3 at Thornwood Park will take place in 2021 and 2022, respectively. 
• The VB discussed at its February 11 meeting potential credits for non-residential and multi-family property owners to use against the new Stormwater Utility Fee, and asked staff for more information on the potential credits before they vote on them in March.   
• For more detailed LWVW coverage of these and earlier developments in this project, including links to meeting materials, click here.

 
1210 Central Planned Unit Development: During a marathon 5+ hour Village Board meeting on February 25, the Village Board started its consideration of a planned unit development (PUD) proposal for 1210 Central:  a 6-story Optima building seeking height, massing and other variations.  Earlier in February, the Plan Commission had voted 5-2 against approving the Optima PUD (see LWVW’s update as of February 7 below) , so that when the Village Board votes on whether to approve it, 5 Village Trustees (out of 7) must vote in favor of it for it to be approved.  The VB is expected to vote on it at its March 10 regular meeting.  PUD approval requires a public benefit for the development, and the public benefits cited by the applicant include making a $1.6 million donation for affordable housing efforts in the Village, a bird-friendly design, a commitment to at least a Two Green Globes® (out of a maximum of Four) under the Green Globes® sustainability certification program (analogous to LEED Silver), 30 public parking spaces, and 2 electric car charging stations. Optima included an economic impact report from Teska Associates in its presentation materials, which projects annual revenue generated from the development to the Village of $204.7K to $231.8K/year ($1.4M-$1.6M in net present value over a 10-year period) from various sources (property taxes, sales taxes generated both within the project and from the spending of its residents, motor fuel taxes, vehicle registrations and income distributions from the state), compared to the $19K/year in property taxes only that the current use of the property generates to the Village.  The report also projects additional property tax revenue from the development for all local government authorities.  See here for the Village’s recap of this meeting, with links to the meeting documents and specific discussions from the meeting.  This project has generated much public commentary both for and against, and we expect more comments at the March 10 VB meeting before the VB votes on the project. See here for the LWVW’s letter to the Village Board on the affordable housing aspect of this PUD application.
 
What else happened this month:
 
Wilmette Village Board

• The VB bade farewell to retiring Village Manager Timothy Frenzer and thanked him for his many years of service to the Village, and welcomed Michael Braiman as the new Villager Manager.  Braiman previously had been Assistant Village Manager.
• President Bielinski issued a proclamation and read it at the February 11 meeting proclaiming February 14, 2020, as the date for the Village to celebrate the League of Women Voters in honor of the League’s 100th anniversary.
• The VB adopted a resolution at the February 25 meeting supporting the Village’s participation in the 2020 Census.
• The VB approved a recommendation at the February 25 meeting for the appointment of Bradley Falkof to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a 5-year term starting March 10. 2020.

 
Wilmette Park Board

• The Park Board approved at its February 10 meeting a $50K contract with SmithGroup for a shoreline protection study.  See here  for information from the meeting packet.
• The Lakefront Committee at its March 2 meeting heard updates on the shoreline protection study, and also about potential improvements at the Lakeview Center and about progress on developing a Lakefront master plan.
• Director Wilson reported to the Park Board that a new Superintendent of Parks and Planning, Kristi Solberg, had been hired to start February 20.  Wilson noted that Solberg most recently had been with the Park Ridge Park District, where she was Asst. Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds and was recently awarded Professional of the Year award by the Midwest Institute of Park Executives.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D39 Board of Education

• The BoE approved awarding a bid package totalling $1.7M for summer 2020 construction at Central, which will include making way for Kindergarten Enrichment and adding air conditioning to the cafeteria. See here for meeting packet information.
• Staff continued its 3-meeting mid-year report on the 2019-20 Strategic Plan, with this month’s report focusing on the Continuing Initiatives part of the 2019-20 Strategic Plan; last month’s report focused on Annual Business, and next month’s report will focus on the New Strategic Initiative.  The Continuing Initiatives concern: 1) Delivering a Nutritious School Lunch Program; 2) Student Growth through Differentiation & Personalization; 3) Designing a Kindergarten Enrichment Program; 4) Building School Culture and Community; and 5) Creating Flexible Learning Environments. See summary report here.
• Finance Chair Cesaretti announced that D. 39, as part of its expenditure review undertaken since FY2017-2018, has a new financial dashboard on its website created using dynamic data from its Forecast5 software. See here for that financial dashboard.
• The BoE approved a $22.5K contract with Consortium for Educational Change to help D.39 identify its strengths and weaknesses and to facilitate a strategic planning process to be used for the next several years.  See packet information here.
• The BoE approved a $71K contract with Atlantic Research Partners to conduct a comprehensive program review and evaluation of D. 39’s special education and response to intervention systems. See packet information here.
• Staff presented on a partnership with the Wilmette Public Library to allow parents to get a library card for their child when they register their child for school. See here.

 
NTHS D203 BoE

• The Superintendent reported to the Board on the progress being made on the Social and Emotional Learning component and the financial transparency component of the NT2030 initiative.
• The Board voted to approve the Bid Package and award contracts in the amount of $2,858,294.00 for renovation of the Winnetka facility. Click here to see a memo on the bid package from the meeting packet.
• The Board approved of a maximum allocation of $203,665.00 from the NT Scholarship Trust Fund for distribution to the class of 2020.

 
Library Board

• The library’s Digital Services Manager gave a presentation on an overview of the Digital Services department, which has become a core service of the library.  He noted that digital resources and usage have expanded and grown significantly.  Staff are available to help patrons with digital resources.
• In anticipation of an expected state requirement for the board to annually review “Serving Our Public 4.0--Standards for Illinois Public Libraries” to get a per capita grant, the Director reviewed chapters 1 and 2 (as seen here) with the board.  Additional chapters to be reviewed in subsequent meetings.
• The Director gave a report summarizing Library activities, meetings/workshops attended, community engagement reports, monthly statistics and other information as seen here.

As of February 7, 2020
 
Since the last update, LWVW Observers have observed and reported on the following local government meetings:
                               
Village Board: January 14 and 28; Municipal Services Committee January 28; Plan Commission January 7 and February 4
Park Board: January 13; CoW January 29; Lakefront Committee February 3
WPS D. 39: CoW January 13; BoE January 27
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: January 21
Library Board: January 21
 
Highlights:
Wilmette Village Board and Village Commissions/Committees

• The Plan Commission voted to make a negative recommendation to the Village Board on approving the planned unit development (PUD) proposal for 1210 Central, a 6-story Optima building seeking height and other variations.  A negative recommendation from the Plan Commission means that the VB would need a supermajority to approve the PUD.  The VB is slated to consider the PUD at its February 25 meeting.  PUD approval requires a public benefit for the development, and the public benefits cited by the applicant included making a $1.6 million donation for affordable housing efforts in the Village, a bird-friendly design, a commitment to at least a Two Green Globes® (out of a maximum of Four) under the Green Globes® sustainability certification program (analogous to LEED Silver), and advancing the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and Village Master Plan by, among other things, providing high-density, transit-oriented, multi-family residential opportunities and streetscape improvements and promoting redevelopment of vacant, under-utilized and inefficient properties .  See here for more information on this PUD application, which has generated much public commentary both for and against.
• The Municipal Services Committee gave direction to Village staff to bring forward to the whole VB for discussion on February 11 two potential credits for eligible non-residential and multifamily properties to use against the Village’s new stormwater utility fee:  up to a 50% credit for properties that comply with MWRD watershed management ordinances and up to a 50% credit for properties that meet both 501(c)(3) ownership and institutional use requirements, with a cap on credits for any property of 50% of the stormwater fee for that property.  For more detailed and historic LWVW coverage on these potential credits, the stormwater fee and other developments in the Village’s stormwater improvement project, see LWVW’s page on the project here.

 
Wilmette Park Board

• Adopted its FY2020 budget and appropriations ordinance.  The full department-by-department annual budget is available at the administrative offices but was not online yet at the time of this update.
• Has been discussing hiring consultants for a shoreline protection study and Gillson master planning in Lakefront Committee, Committee-of-the-Whole and Park Board meetings. A revised version will be voted on at Feb. 10 Park Board meeting.
• Heard that staff has been discussing potential changes to 2020-21 after-school enrichment programs in Wilmette public schools with District 39.

Wilmette Public Schools D39 Board of Ed

• Heard a recommendation from Superintendent Cremascoli to increase administrative support by making the K-4 assistant principal positions at each school full-time, and adding a full-time principal to the 5-8 campus.
• Heard from staff that 2020-21 Kindergarten enrollment has started at all four K-4 schools, as well as the new optional Kindergarten Enrichment (KEEP) at Central and McKenzie. At the time of the BoE meeting, 82% of those registering for Kindergarten at Central and McKenzie also registered for KEEP.
• Heard Facilities Development Committee updates regarding this summer’s construction at Central (bid/approval process in February) and Highcrest (bid/approval process in March).
• Approved the FY2020-21 Budget calendar, as seen here.  First up will be review and approval of some capital projects at the February 24 BoE meeting.
• Heard from staff a mid-year report on the Annual Business initiatives part of the 2019-20 Strategic Plan as seen here.  The Annual Business initiatives concern: 1) school safety, 2) standards-based learning and reporting, 3) science curriculum, and 4) sustainability planning, practices and education.  See here for the mid-year report on these initiatives.
• Received the January 2020 special education count, as seen here.
• Discussed in its CoW potential changes proposed by Park District in Park District after-school enrichment programs that take place in Wilmette public schools.

 
NTHS D203 BoE

• Received the mid-year report on progress made in the 2019-20 Annual Plan, which is the first year of implementing New Trier 2030.  See the report here.
• Kicked off the FY 2020-21 budget process by hearing from the administration about updated budget assumptions and parameters to be used in the process and approving the budget calendar and authorizing the administration to begin the budget process.  For more detail from the meeting packet, click here.
• Received an update on current facilities projects, including those from summer 2019 and those planned for summers 2020 and 2021. To see memo, click here.
• Heard a favorable report from staff on a $3.3M private bond sale that took place in January to fund Summer 2020 facilities projects.  All-in cost of the bid was 2.02%, $98K better than originally projected in the fall, after receiving 5 bids.  Market condition improvements since the fall and the reputation, name and financial health of the district were cited as factors in what the administration referred to as a favorable outcome.
• Approved Intergovernmental Agreements with Sunset Ridge D.29, Winnetka D.36, Avoca D. 37 and Wilmette D. 39 regarding student assessment data sharing.  To see the IGA with D. 39, click here.
• Approved a contract with IASB for policy manual customization to assist in making policy changes resulting from law changes.  For a memorandum from staff recommending this contract, click here.

Library Board

• Heard that the Library Journal awarded the WPL a five-star rating based on data collected (e.g., visitors, circulation, program attendance), placing it in the top 4% of rated public libraries nationally and one of only seven Illinois libraries to earn five stars. See WPL announcement here.
• Heard about several staffing changes, including that John Risko, previously Assistant Finance Director at the Village, has been hired as the new full-time Finance Manager, replacing Part-time Business Manager Barb Griffiths, who is retiring.
• Heard that American Dirt by Jeanine Cumins was the choice for this spring’s One Book, Everyone Reads program, although the WPL has since announced that the One Book program is no longer going forward this spring, as announced here.  The WPL, however, will facilitate book discussions about the novel, as per the announcement.

As of January 3, 2020
 
Since the last update, LWVW Observers have observed and reported on the following local government meetings:
 
Village Board: December 10; Municipal Services Committee December 10
Park Board: December 9
WPS D. 39: CoW December 9; BoE December 16
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: December 16
Library Board: No meetings
 
Highlights:
Wilmette Village Board

• Adopted its 2019 Tax Levy Ordinance.  Click here  to see the information from the December 10 meeting packet on the tax levy ordinance.  See below for LWVW coverage from when the tax levy ordinance was proposed in our “As of December 6, 2019” update.
• Stormwater Project developments:
  • Adopted an ordinance imposing a new Stormwater Utility Fee to fund the stormwater project. This new fee was to go into effect January 1, 2020.
  • Approved a resolution to delay collection of Stormwater Utility Fee for non-residential properties until April 1, 2020.  This resolution only delays the collection for these properties, not imposition of the fee (so when these properties are billed starting in April, it will cover the period starting January 1).
  • Approved a $5.35M contract with StormTrap, Inc, for the pre-purchase of pre-cast concrete units for Phase 1 of the stormwater improvement project at Community Playfield.
  • The Municipal Services Committee reviewed potential changes to the draft stormwater credits and incentives program as that program concerns non-residential properties.

For more detailed LWVW coverage of these and earlier developments with the stormwater improvement project, including with respect to the new stormwater utility and the potential credits and incentives program and with links to documents, see LWVW’s page on the stormwater improvement project here.
 
Wilmette Park Board

• Adopted its 2019 tax levy ordinance. Click here to see the 2019 tax levy ordinance from the December 9 meeting packet. See below for LWVW coverage from when the tax levy ordinance was proposed in our “As of December 6, 2019” update
• Received a financial statement from the Finance Committee, as seen here , summarizing FY2018 actual; FY2019 budget and projected actual; and FY2020 proposed budget.  The Park Board is expected to vote on its proposed budget at its January 13 meeting. The LWVW has not seen a link to the full FY2020 proposed budget.
• Approved its 2020 regular board meeting calendar as shown here.
• Received an update from its Lakefront Committee on the status of responses to two requests for proposals:  one on shoreline protection and the other on a Gillson master plan.
• Heard from the Park District Director about vacancies in the Supt. for Parks & Planning and the Supt. for Finance positions, both of which are posted.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D39 Board of Ed

• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Village concerning the Village stormwater construction project at Community Playfield.  See more LWVW coverage on this MoU, including a link to the MoU, and the Village stormwater project here.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement with New Trier HS D203, as seen here, to share certain student data with D203 as part of a study to be conducted by D203.
• Approved 2020-21 School Fees as seen here.   
• Received a Five-Year Financial Projection Report as seen here. According to the report, the Operating Funds Balance as a percentage of Operating Expenditures was 69.08% at the end of FY2019 and is expected to go down to 49.98% by end of FY2021 and 40.49% by end of FY2025.  The report notes that D39 has a goal of maintaining this percentage at the end of each fiscal year at a minimum level of 40%.
• Received a Long-Term Enrollment Report, as seen here, which shows total enrollment history for years 2008-2019 and projections to 2024 and additional detail and data. Total district enrollment has gone from 3611 in 2008 to 3465 in 2019 and is projected to steadily decline to 3246 by 2024, with the biggest drops expected at Central and Harper.
• Received a draft School Calendar, as seen here, to be voted on in January.

 
NTHS D203 BoE

• The Board heard a presentation from Superintendent Paul Sally on New Trier’s mental health supports, including the advisory program and the new mental health hotline. He invited anyone interested in more information about mental health and community resources to attend a Parent Night presentation on January 15th.  See here for meeting packet info on Mental Health at NTHS.
• Supt. Sally and Assistant Superintendent Peter Tragos presented the Board with the 2019 Illinois School Report Card and academic profile, standardized testing and extracurricular reports for the Class of 2019. For meeting materials, click here to see a memo on the 2019 School Report Card and here, here and here for reports on the Class of 2019’s academic profile, standardized testing and extracurricular participation, respectively.
• The Board approved a resolution authorizing the 2020 issuance of up to $3.335 million in working cash fund bonds to partially fund summer 2020 construction projects. See here for a memo on the projects and funding.
• The Board approved a contract for architectural services for an analysis of academic, athletic and kinetic wellness needs on the east side of the Winnetka campus.  See here for a memo on the contract and here for the contract.

Archives

• Jan-Jun 2020
• 2019
• 2018 and earlier

Boards we observe

Wilmette Village Board of Trustees:
The Village Board is the legislative and policy-making body of the Village and includes the Village President and six Trustees. Regular Village Board meetings are broadcast live on cable Channel 6 and replayed the following day at 1 pm. The meeting schedule is available on the​ LWV Wilmette calendar.

Board of Park Commissioners
The Board of Park Commissioners oversees the administration of the Wilmette Park District.
 Administrative Offices: 847-256-6100
The meeting schedule is available at www.wilmettepark.org

Wilmette Public Library Board of Trustees
The board meeting schedule is available at 
https://www.wilmettelibrary.info/about/library-trustees/board-meetings
​
District 39: Wilmette Elementary
The board meeting schedule is available at   www.wilmette39.org

District 203: New Trier High School
The board meeting schedule is available at  
​www.newtrier.k12.il.us
​